Our other instructor, Thomas is back from knee surgery. He killed us with a warm up, then technique was a pass focusing on getting control of the legs first and not getting tangled into any guards.

First hand grabs just below the knee, other hand grabs near the groin. Drive the knee grip to the mat and walk sideways to that side until you clear the leg, then basically lift them back up while you fall onto them. Kind like a torreando pass but using extended arms in place of your shoulders. Drilled from there and then rolled.

First round was a stud of a blue belt that killed me, I delayed for as long as I could but got my back taken and choked and mounted and choked. Damn him.

Next was another blue belt who started the round to initiate a pass, these always light a fire under my ass. Got a triangle, sweep, couldn't get armbar so I rolled back into the triangle and finished. Next time same thing happens but he postures out of the triangle and I switch to an omoplata right at the end of the round.

Technique was a pass from what Thomas calls "4 Corners" it's like a scissor like half guard that uses that top knee to hold off the torso. The pass weaves an arm through the top leg and cups the bottom, twist and drop your shoulder to crush that top leg down, grab their far side sleeve to keep control, sprawl your trapped leg back, walk around to pass. Drilled that and then rolled. Did really well against a green belt, passing guards and keeping good position, got a sleeve choke from back and an armbar.

Tech was a pass from closed guard, jump up to a stand while dragging them below you so your head is further out than yours, pinch knees and wait for the guard to open, work in elbows and sit forwards on their legs. Pick a leg to swim past and drop into side control like a wet blanket.

Rolled a green belt who I was sweeping and dominating right until he armbarred me. Twice. Rolled a brown who tried the technique from class but I kept my guard closed and worked it as high as I could, went for an armbar and immediately tried to sweep from it, got in a scramble and caught his back. Tried a sleeve choke then abandoned it and got a bow and arrow. Rolled Thomas our brown belt instructor but we did something to jerk his knee that he just has surgery on. He nevertheless caught me in the an omoplata twice, one with a finish and the other I tried to escape and ended in an armbar.. Good class.